(Ottawa) Hundreds of people gathered in several cities across Canada on Sunday to pay tribute to the victims of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza.
In the nation’s capital, a sea of Israeli flags, flown by participants, was visible outside Ottawa City Hall, with Canadian flags flying alongside them as they demanded the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
They were expected to march to Parliament Hill, where Liberal MP Mona Fortier, Conservative MP Shuvaloy Majumdar and rabbis were expected to be among those giving speeches at an event to mark the somber anniversary.
The mother of Montrealer Alexander Look, killed while attending a music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas attack, was also scheduled to speak.
The incursion into Israel on October 7 saw more than 1,200 Israelis killed and around 240 hostages captured, triggering an Israeli counter-offensive in Gaza that, according to the regional health ministry, left more than 41,000 dead.
An increased police presence could be seen along the march route, with uniformed officers present around the crowd.
In Toronto, some politicians and community members joined a rally in support of Israel and the hostages that has been happening weekly since October 7, 2023.
“My message today is simple,” said Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, who represents the north Toronto riding where the rally is taking place, and who is himself Jewish.
“We will not stop defending the values we hold dear in Ontario. We will not stop uniting to make our voices heard, to fight against hatred, against anti-Semitism, against all forms of hatred that have no place in Ontario. »
A pro-Palestinian demonstration was scheduled to take place at Montreal’s Dorchester Square on Sunday afternoon, the second such event in the city this weekend, with others planned for Monday.